Great Family Adventures Await in Southwest Illinois
Ready For A Family Road Trip?
Make it a summer to remember with a family road trip to the Great Rivers & Routes region of southwest Illinois.
Let the kids romp in the water while the adults bask in the sun at riverside water parks. Soar through the treetops along river bluffs and cruise along the Mississippi River in a private pontoon boat. Evenings were made for relaxing at family-friendly breweries and wineries.
![Travelers overlook the city of St Louis Missouri on an overlook along the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Illinois](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Things_To_Do_Attractions_Cahokia_Mounds_State_Historic_Site_a7a5206f-fbf7-4857-91ad-4e1bacc47d54.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=2dc4cd32e05efaeeeccc0fef90d704d7 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Things_To_Do_Attractions_Cahokia_Mounds_State_Historic_Site_a7a5206f-fbf7-4857-91ad-4e1bacc47d54.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=f72f9fd0565b51255f85e8dc44105d8f 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Things_To_Do_Attractions_Cahokia_Mounds_State_Historic_Site_a7a5206f-fbf7-4857-91ad-4e1bacc47d54.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=ac5ebe24ffb19e687425779e39bc2bdb 768w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Things_To_Do_Attractions_Cahokia_Mounds_State_Historic_Site_a7a5206f-fbf7-4857-91ad-4e1bacc47d54.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=79d312ed97af96e2482b578a93ba1968 1024w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Things_To_Do_Attractions_Cahokia_Mounds_State_Historic_Site_a7a5206f-fbf7-4857-91ad-4e1bacc47d54.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=5ff34194ece2a45f532ec07925fe8cdb 1200w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Things_To_Do_Attractions_Cahokia_Mounds_State_Historic_Site_a7a5206f-fbf7-4857-91ad-4e1bacc47d54.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=6c1ae4b41ec56ebe739ba48c48d9cfe3 1440w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Things_To_Do_Attractions_Cahokia_Mounds_State_Historic_Site_a7a5206f-fbf7-4857-91ad-4e1bacc47d54.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=99d53275b207ee078b2f3175d0e709b9 1920w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Things_To_Do_Attractions_Cahokia_Mounds_State_Historic_Site_a7a5206f-fbf7-4857-91ad-4e1bacc47d54.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=dc8312299951325d6497222ec19715ae 2560w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Things_To_Do_Attractions_Cahokia_Mounds_State_Historic_Site_a7a5206f-fbf7-4857-91ad-4e1bacc47d54.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=634b789e1945bc2c1bd4e1934df0b903 3840w)
Day 1
Start your family adventure in Collinsville at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Center. The interpretive center offers an in-depth look at prehistoric Native American life along the famed American River Bottoms. Stretch your legs with a walk up Monks Mound, the largest Native American mound outside of Mexico. When the weather is clear, a view of downtown St. Louis, just minutes from Collinsville, is visible!
Stop by Willoughby Heritage Farm for a glimpse into farm life in the 1940s. The farm has barnyard animals for the kids as well as an authentic farmhouse tour and barns. Take a hike along the trails that weave through the former farm acreage.
Spend the remainder of your day with the kids at the Collinsville Aqua Park. The kids will enjoy the park’s famed Monsoon Mountain and Aqua Climb Wall while the adults sip on a favorite beverage and relax in the sun.
Overnight at the nearby Hampton Inn. Visit Uptown Collinsville, just a short drive from you hotel for dinner and drinks at Old Herald Brewery & Distillery.
![](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/piasa_bird_5677_338cef35-5bda-48ef-b833-cdbf246e3253.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=97ac44b447462477cfb11d2bbf48aedd 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/piasa_bird_5677_338cef35-5bda-48ef-b833-cdbf246e3253.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=c160b519ca6360afbb2fde7017fcc503 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/piasa_bird_5677_338cef35-5bda-48ef-b833-cdbf246e3253.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=3d45b7d11ac772c0a0aecd4f2d9b621d 768w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/piasa_bird_5677_338cef35-5bda-48ef-b833-cdbf246e3253.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=852d00697ad86cd21ed7e7c6380977a8 1024w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/piasa_bird_5677_338cef35-5bda-48ef-b833-cdbf246e3253.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=428a5737ae838ab66c98c88a2724ba25 1200w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/piasa_bird_5677_338cef35-5bda-48ef-b833-cdbf246e3253.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=12482bb303f70e32da5014c26855655e 1440w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/piasa_bird_5677_338cef35-5bda-48ef-b833-cdbf246e3253.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=2fe9741ea7b305d8fc68fb243f51b8b1 1920w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/piasa_bird_5677_338cef35-5bda-48ef-b833-cdbf246e3253.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=99e661c26d2102c98648caaf1471063a 2560w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/piasa_bird_5677_338cef35-5bda-48ef-b833-cdbf246e3253.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=2ee91d188915a62ec11d4059b985dad9 3840w)
Day 2
Hop in the car and head along the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway to Alton and be sure to stop and meet Robert Wadlow, the World’s Tallest Man! He’s no longer living create your own Instagrammable moment with a photo taken beside the bronze statue. How does your family measure up?
Another stop on the scenic byway is the famous Piasa Bird painting located on the limestone bluffs just outside Alton. Stop for photos and a brief history of this legendary dragon-like bird said to haunt the bluffs along the Mississippi River.
Travel along the byway, which hugs the banks of the Mississippi River, from Alton to Grafton for one of the most scenic drives in America.
Once in Grafton, stop in at The Loading Dock for lunch and let the kids play lawn games while the adults relax at a table alongside the Mississippi River. A cruise on either the Mississippi or Illinois Rivers is next up. Rent a pontoon boat at Grafton Harbor and set sail on the Mississippi River. The Grafton Harbor Gift Shop is a great place to stock up for the cruise. Once back on dry land, get ready to ride the new Grafton SkyTour from Grafton’s Main Street to the top of the river bluffs nearly 300 feet high. Open air chair lifts and enclosed gondolas are available. Enjoy one of the best views in the Midwest from Aerie’s Resort at the top of the bluff. Soar over the treetops on Grafton Zipline Adventures – a perfect way to close out this adventure-filled day.
Spend the night at Pere Marquette Lodge & Conference Center. Enjoy a room in the lodge or a cabin adjacent to the historic building. Enjoy a family-style fried chicken dinner at the Pere Marquette Lodge Restaurant.
![](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/raging_rivers_c359a481-ea7d-4c34-8622-a567ef515d2a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=a3d5ad6f4684c10fd58ae94ca281ac79 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/raging_rivers_c359a481-ea7d-4c34-8622-a567ef515d2a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=4ecfbcfb44af507c2f6b69b72bad6f94 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/raging_rivers_c359a481-ea7d-4c34-8622-a567ef515d2a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=06b69a78701f626e25039700ea938e10 768w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/raging_rivers_c359a481-ea7d-4c34-8622-a567ef515d2a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=85165b81fde863dc60fc6a5230424205 1024w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/raging_rivers_c359a481-ea7d-4c34-8622-a567ef515d2a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=26eaaa7458a29967362477f6d670a408 1200w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/raging_rivers_c359a481-ea7d-4c34-8622-a567ef515d2a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=f3b3aa1475e418cba2c88ec18eb6ba83 1440w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/raging_rivers_c359a481-ea7d-4c34-8622-a567ef515d2a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=266d4d43bb46b082b950141650e44702 1920w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/raging_rivers_c359a481-ea7d-4c34-8622-a567ef515d2a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=9d3014f2c63bb10f0c668f7a324c815e 2464w)
Day 3
Rise and shine with breakfast at the Lodge restaurant and then work out on the miles of hiking trails that wind through the park. Scenic views can be found at various lookout points along the trails at the park. Let the kids enjoy some fishing at the catch and release pond located in front of the Pere Marquette Visitor Center.
Explore the park on horseback with a 45-minute guided ride courtesy of Pere Marquette Riding Stables.
Top off your family getaway at Raging Rivers Water Park. The park features a wave pool, lazy river, shark tank and a new water slide. Nestled on the banks of the Mississippi River, the park offers a scenic views and endless fun. Rent a private cabana and enjoy the rest of your day!
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